“Nothing. We're friends.”
He frowned slightly. “How come you're friend-zoning him?”
“Because I don't want a boyfriend.” She walked into the kitchen and started transferring the nut bars to a canister to keep them fresh.
“Maybe keep an open mind. If Burke was your boyfriend, having a boyfriend could be good.”
“Are you advocating for Burke because you think your life will be easier if I have someone else in my life to bear the burden of my drama?”
“I'm advocating for Burke because I think a relationship with him would be nice for you.”
“And nice for you if I have someone else in my life to bear the burden of my drama.” She winked at him to remove any sting from her words. Her sons viewed her as high-maintenance, but she preferred to think of herself as a loving mother who had high standards. “You don't have to worry about me, you know. I'm doing just fine, aren't I?”
“Yes.”
“I don't lean on you too much.”
“No.”
That hadn't been the case when he'd been in high school. He was now thirty-two years old. She was a mentally healthy business owner now. Yet she could not erase the damage that had been done. Jude’s sense of duty toward her had been grooved into him as surely as stitches in fabric. “I'm sorry, Jude. That you had to take care of me after Dad left.”
“It's okay,” he said at once.
They'd had this exchange many times. On each occasion, Jude reassured her. Yet this topic always left her feeling heavier inside, not lighter.
* * *
Monday, Gemma caught herself eyeing the clock as it neared the time when Jude used to call for their weeknight prepping sessions. He wouldn't be calling. He'd brought an end to the preliminary phase of their case when he'd given her the go-ahead to contact Cedric.
Gemma enjoyed her days best when they were full. And today had been brimming with activity, conversations, productivity, exercise, creativity, food,life. Yet knowing Jude wasn't going to call made all of that feel less full.
She could still communicate with him, though. It wasn't mandatory to sit around feeling the lack of something.
Gemma
It's been more than two days since I texted Cedric to say my boyfriend was interested and eager to meet with him. Is it less likely with every passing day that Cedric will take the bait?
It gratified her to see alternating dots appear almost at once.
Jude
Not necessarily. He said he wanted to think on it, which isn't surprising. He might think on it for several days. We'll bide our time.
Gemma
Kay. What chocolate did you have today?
Jude
That information is not relevant to our case.
Gemma
It absolutely isn't. So . . . what chocolate did you have today?
Jude
A chocolate chip croissant. One of the best foods on earth.
